[Bosozoku]

Originally Posted by Artemis

This 'The Grand Tour' kick-off episode gets tremendous attention. The M2 being presented and getting accolades, may draw extra attention to the car.

That's what also happened in 2011 after the Top Gear episode where Jeremy Clarkson drove the 1M and (equally) gave it a rave review:

• part 1: http://www.topgear.com/videos/jeremy...s-17-episode-1
• part 2: http://www.topgear.com/videos/jeremy...s-17-episode-1

Agree, but the only things that will happen are:

Short-term:
- Increased awareness (e.g. more "car guys" standing, staring, pointing)
- Even deeper waiting lists
- "Market adjustment" gouging for a longer period, maybe indefinitely

Long-term:
- Possible bump in resale value
- Possible "classic" status
- Possible upward sticker price adjustment

Unless, of course, BMW increases production.
Right now, they're protecting M3/4 sales simply by not making very many M2's.
Because the M3/4 are higher-margin products.
And BMW doesn't want to undercut M3/4 profits.
Simple as that.

[Imola3]

Their new track is definitely a power circuit just like the last one

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Bosozoku

Agree, but the only things that will happen are:

Short-term:
- Increased awareness (e.g. more "car guys" standing, staring, pointing)
- Even deeper waiting lists
- "Market adjustment" gouging for a longer period, maybe indefinitely

Long-term:
- Possible bump in resale value
- Possible "classic" status
- Possible upward sticker price adjustment

Unless, of course, BMW increases production.
Right now, they're protecting M3/4 sales simply by not making very many M2's.
Because the M3/4 are higher-margin products.
And BMW doesn't want to undercut M3/4 profits.
Simple as that.

For those who do not own an M2, let's hope this won't happen. I don't think it will, but what do I know...

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Artemis

And Chris Harris just gave the 1M and M2 some TLC too:
http://www.topgear.com/videos/chris-...s-bmw-1m-coupe

And that is exactly why Harris rocks, too.

He's saying that the 1 M feels like a proper old school toy and I wonder what he would say about a 135i. I am shamelessly hoping that he'd like just as much, haha. But I know that the 1 M is ahead in just about every aspect.

Never driven a 1 M unfortunately; the M2 felt really great, though. The want is strong with both of them.

[MSCD]

The GT was fun to watch, missed those guys!! As a Brit in the US the translation section was funny!

M2 looked great around the track, never meant to be fastest... but per Clarkson it fulfills the 'blast to drive' tick (check) box.

South Africa next week... that should be fun too.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Bosozoku

Agree, but the only things that will happen are:

Short-term:
- Increased awareness (e.g. more "car guys" standing, staring, pointing)
- Even deeper waiting lists
- "Market adjustment" gouging for a longer period, maybe indefinitely

Long-term:
- Possible bump in resale value
- Possible "classic" status
- Possible upward sticker price adjustment

Unless, of course, BMW increases production.
Right now, they're protecting M3/4 sales simply by not making very many M2's.
Because the M3/4 are higher-margin products.
And BMW doesn't want to undercut M3/4 profits.
Simple as that.

U think an m3 is a higher margin product than an m2? I would argue that heavily... throw an already made lsd, tranny and swap suspension components into an m235i and u have an m2... the m3 gets a completely different engine, and much upgraded interior from a regular 3.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Still slower than the M5.
And you get to have your butt massaged and enjoy cooled ventilated seats while beating the "true sports cars" (ahem M3 and M2) on the track. I didn't even mention the better exhaust note of the V8 either. Lol!
And I have driven an M3 and an M2 on the track before, while fun and definitely more nimble, they felt a lot slower.

Apparently your cooled ventilated seats failed to remedy your butthurt.

[gmzanatta]

Originally Posted by firedown31

Since it's not on the lap board at the link, for anyone curious the M2 did a 1:26.2. Below the 718, M5, and M3.

Keep in mind it was the only 6MT of the bunch, so it will have some impact on overall time.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by Ramos

Great praise from JC calling it the best M car BMW has ever made.

He freakin' says that about every new ///M car!!!

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Apparently your cooled ventilated seats failed to remedy your butthurt.

[Alumac]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

He freakin' says that about every new ///M car!!!

Pretty much this.

Best bang for buck now is definitely an M2. Best M ever? Not at all. The e46 was a standard bearer in its time; it is why people compare M cars to Porsche.

The M2 is a well put together car, but far from a masterpiece, or the best M ever.

[ORIGIN M.]

You young thunder cats crack me up. He is not that old. 20 years goes like a snap. Clearly young enough to be relevant.

Originally Posted by Yellowflash21

Old geezer Jeremy was brave and honest enough to say that it's the best BMW car ever made.



The car was honored to be firstly introduced on their new test track, and it showed why there is still much buzz going on around this little rocket!



Even thought it wasn't faster then M3 and M5 around their new track, I enjoyed every second how geezer was dancing with it!

But anyway, it's amazing show and don't miss it!

[ORIGIN M.]

Ummm welcome to 2016, no he does not!

Mercedes yes, BMW not so much...

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

He freakin' says that about every new ///M car!!!

[raysspl]

On my to-watch list for the Thanksgiving week!

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Bosozoku

Unless, of course, BMW increases production.
Right now, they're protecting M3/4 sales simply by not making very many M2's.
Because the M3/4 are higher-margin products.
And BMW doesn't want to undercut M3/4 profits.
Simple as that.

Some significant discounts available for M3/M4 and resale prices are not very comforting.

M2: no limited production, but production in limited quantities:

• the BMW Leipzig factory is already pushing the envelope to handle the very high demand for the M2; high volume production of other BMW cars = very tight time schedules; and we may reasonably assume that moving the M2 production to another BMW plant is too complicated and expensive;
• the M2 requires more production time compared to other BMW models manufactured at the Leipzig factory: see this thread.

A Belgian forum fellow expects his M2 to arrive in principle next Summer, but there is a chance that his car will go into production already in Spring, as BMW is rumored to boost its M2 production early 2017 (well, at least that's what he has been told, so posting that info here FWIW). Back in 2011-2012, 1M production at the Leipzig factory was increased from 2700 scheduled to 6309 manufactured.

[SeanWRT]

Originally Posted by Ramos

I do have to say that I'm very skeptical of their new "track"

The R8 shouldn't be faster than a GTR and an M5 shouldn't be faster than an M3 on any normal race track.

I doubt they test any of the other cars than m2 on that list at all. Otherwise they wouldn't show those results and would save the material for future episodes instead.

[N & M]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Still slower than the M5.

And you get to have your butt massaged and enjoy cooled ventilated seats while beating the "true sports cars" (ahem M3 and M2) on the track. I didn't even mention the better exhaust note of the V8 either. Lol!

And I have driven an M3 and an M2 on the track before, while fun and definitely more nimble, they felt a lot slower.

Having the pleasure of owning and driving all the Ms since the E39 I can firmly say the simplicity and purity of the M2 makes it something that will probably not be repeated for a while. The 1M may have had the same character but it also had a snappy side. I love the M5 and look forward to thr F30 version but the M2 just puts bigger a smile on the face.

[M2wolf]

Originally Posted by GearRex

Porsche's 4 cylinder spanks M's elite.

Quite embarrassing if you asked me!

[carlos808]

Originally Posted by N & M

Having the pleasure of owning and driving all the Ms since the E39 I can firmly say the simplicity and purity of the M2 makes it something that will probably not be repeated for a while. The 1M may have had the same character but it also had a snappy side. I love the M5 and look forward to thr F30 version but the M2 just puts bigger a smile on the face.

Good to hear the view of a owner of all M's, the 1M was out of my reach in 2011, I settled for a used 135i Coupe and thought "yeah" this suits me then the M2 arrived and that was it, Hooked..... Driven the M4 at Brands Hatch which was a blast but as I jumped into the M2 that was where I wanted to be.

I'd like to see more on the road, only seen one AW M2 at a show never seen any others on the road, soon hopefully.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by M2wolf

Porsche's 4 cylinder spanks M's elite.

Quite embarrassing if you asked me!

A manual 718 Boxster weighs 2,944lbs, over 500lb lighter than an M2/3 and it's mid-engine. How is that surprising? It's not a drag race.

I'm more surprised about the FWD behind it.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by raysspl

On my to-watch list for the Thanksgiving week!

Excellent plan.

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by M2wolf

Porsche's 4 cylinder spanks M's elite.

Quite embarrassing if you asked me!

The 718 S @ 350ps/1355kg is fast! However, the M2 did beat it around Hockenheim Short!

The M2 @ 375ps/1565kg tied with:

Lamborghini Gallardo SE @ 520ps/1640kg
SL65 AMG Black Series @ 670ps/1870kg
Alpina B3 GT3 @ 408ps/1535kg
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 (991) @ 350ps/1450kg